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Colleton County, South Carolina
Colleton County Courthouse
Colleton County Courthouse
Map of South Carolina highlighting Colleton County
Location in the state of South Carolina
Map of the U.S
South Carolina's location in the U.S.
Founded 1800
Named for Sir John Colleton, 1st Baronet
Seat Walterboro
Largest city Walterboro
Area
 - Total
 - Land
 - Water

1,133 sq mi (2,934 km²)
1,056 sq mi (2,735 km²)
77 sq mi (199 km²), 6.8
Population
 - (2020)
 - Density

38,604
Congressional districts 1st, 6th
Time zone Eastern: UTC-5/-4
Website www.colletoncounty.org

Colleton County is in the Lowcountry region of the U.S. state of South Carolina. As of the 2020 census, the county's population was 38,604.[1] Its county seat is Walterboro.[2] The county is named after Sir John Colleton, 1st Baronet,[3] one of the eight Lords Proprietor of the Province of Carolina. After two previous incarnations, the current Colleton County was created in 1800.[4]

History[]

In 1682, Colleton was created as one of the three original proprietary counties, located in the southwestern coastal portion of the new South Carolina Colony and bordering on the Combahee River.

In 1706, the county was divided between the new Saint Bartholomew and Saint Paul parishes. This area was developed for large plantations devoted to rice and indigo cultivation as commodity crops. The planters depended on the labor of African slaves transported to Charleston for that purpose. In the coastal areas, black slaves soon outnumbered white colonists, as they did across the colony by 1708.

In 1734, most of the coastal portion of Saint Paul's Parish was separated to form the new Saint John's Colleton Parish. In 1769, the three parishes were absorbed into the Charleston Judicial District, the southwestern portion of which was referred to as Saint Bartholomew's.

In 1800, the new Colleton District was formed from the western half of the Charleston District. In 1816, it annexed a small portion of northwestern Charleston District.

In 1868, under the Reconstruction era new state constitution, South Carolina districts were reorganized as counties. Officials were to be elected by the resident voters rather than by state officials, as was done previously, thus giving more democratic power to local residents.

In 1897, the northeastern portion of the county was separated to form the new Dorchester County, with its seat at Saint George.

In 1911, the portion of the county east of the Edisto River was annexed by Charleston County. In 1919 and again in 1920, tiny portions of northwestern Colleton County were annexed to Bamberg County.

In March 1975, the town of Edisto Beach was annexed to Colleton County from Charleston County, thus bringing the county to its present size.

Geography[]

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,133 square miles (2,930 km2), of which 1,056 square miles (2,740 km2) is land and 77 square miles (200 km2) (6.8%) is water.[5] It is the fifth-largest county in South Carolina by land area and fourth-largest by total area.

Adjacent counties[]

National protected area[]

  • Ernest F. Hollings ACE Basin National Wildlife Refuge (part)

State protected area[]

  • Colleton State Park
  • Edisto Beach State Park

Demographics[]

Historical populations
Census Pop.
1800 24,903
1810 26,359 5.8%
1820 26,404 0.2%
1830 27,256 3.2%
1840 25,548 −6.3%
1850 39,505 54.6%
1860 41,916 6.1%
1870 25,410 −39.4%
1880 38,386 51.1%
1890 40,293 5.0%
1900 33,452 −17.0%
1910 35,390 5.8%
1920 29,897 −15.5%
1930 25,821 −13.6%
1940 26,268 1.7%
1950 28,242 7.5%
1960 27,816 −1.5%
1970 27,622 −0.7%
1980 31,776 15.0%
1990 34,377 8.2%
2000 38,264 11.3%
2010 38,892 1.6%
U.S. Decennial Census[6]
1790-1960[7] 1900-1990[8]
1990-2000[9] 2010-2020[1]

2000 census[]

As of the census[10] of 2000, there were 38,264 people, 14,470 households, and 10,490 families living in the county. The population density was 36 people per square mile (14/km2). There were 18,129 housing units at an average density of 17 per square mile (7/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 55.52% White, 42.18% Black or African American, 0.63% Native American, 0.25% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.56% from other races, and 0.82% from two or more races. 1.44% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 14,470 households, out of which 33.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.10% were married couples living together, 16.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.50% were non-families. 24.00% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.62 and the average family size was 3.11.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 27.50% under the age of 18, 8.00% from 18 to 24, 26.90% from 25 to 44, 24.70% from 45 to 64, and 12.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 91.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.90 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $29,733, and the median income for a family was $34,169. Males had a median income of $28,518 versus $19,228 for females. The per capita income for the county was $14,831. About 17.30% of families and 21.10% of the population were below the poverty line, including 28.70% of those under age 18 and 19.10% of those age 65 or over.

According to the 2000 Census, the Colleton County population is nearly 75% rural, with the exception of the Walterboro Urban Cluster (2000 pop.: 10,064). The total county population is also designated as the Walterboro Micropolitan Statistical Area.

2010 census[]

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 38,892 people, 15,131 households, and 10,449 families living in the county.[11] The population density was 36.8 inhabitants per square mile (14.2 /km2). There were 19,901 housing units at an average density of 18.8 per square mile (7.3 /km2).[12] The racial makeup of the county was 57.0% white, 39.0% black or African American, 0.8% American Indian, 0.3% Asian, 1.3% from other races, and 1.5% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 2.8% of the population.[11] In terms of ancestry, 25.0% were American, 7.3% were English, 6.5% were German, and 5.2% were Irish.[13]

Of the 15,131 households, 33.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.9% were married couples living together, 18.4% had a female householder with no husband present, 30.9% were non-families, and 26.8% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.54 and the average family size was 3.07. The median age was 40.7 years.[11]

The median income for a household in the county was $33,263 and the median income for a family was $40,955. Males had a median income of $36,622 versus $25,898 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,842. About 17.7% of families and 21.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 28.3% of those under age 18 and 17.2% of those age 65 or over.[14]

2019[]

The largest self-identified ancestry groups in Colleton County in 2019 were:

  • 39% African-American
  • 32.3% English
  • 6.5% German
  • 5.2% Irish[15]

2020 census[]

Colleton County racial composition[16]
Race Num. Perc.
White (non-Hispanic) 21,816 56.51%
Black or African American (non-Hispanic) 13,401 34.71%
Native American 302 0.78%
Asian 186 0.48%
Pacific Islander 16 0.04%
Other/Mixed 1,503 3.89%
Hispanic or Latino 1,380 3.57%

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 38,604 people, 15,075 households, and 9,565 families residing in the county.

Communities[]

Cities[]

  • Walterboro (county seat)

Towns[]

  • Cottageville
  • Edisto Beach
  • Lodge
  • Smoaks
  • Ruffin
  • Williams

Census-designated places[]

  • Islandton
  • Jacksonboro

Unincorporated communities[]

  • Green Pond
  • Hendersonville
  • Neyles
  • Round O
  • Ruffin
  • Canadys

Government[]

Law enforcement[]

In 2019, County Sheriff R.A. Strickland was charged with domestic violence after punching a woman in his home.[17] As of 2021 the current sheriff is Guerry L. "Buddy" Hill Jr.[18]

Politics[]

United States presidential election results for Colleton County, South Carolina[19]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2020 10,440 54.14% 8,602 44.61% 241 1.25%
2016 9,091 52.70% 7,627 44.21% 533 3.09%
2012 8,443 49.41% 8,475 49.60% 168 0.98%
2008 8,525 49.22% 8,616 49.74% 180 1.04%
2004 7,264 51.50% 6,699 47.49% 143 1.01%
2000 6,767 50.54% 6,449 48.16% 174 1.30%
1996 4,462 42.90% 5,329 51.24% 610 5.86%
1992 4,545 40.17% 5,455 48.21% 1,314 11.61%
1988 4,962 51.97% 4,508 47.22% 77 0.81%
1984 6,200 55.63% 4,910 44.06% 35 0.31%
1980 4,719 44.76% 5,745 54.49% 79 0.75%
1976 3,324 39.00% 5,134 60.24% 64 0.75%
1972 5,723 69.51% 2,376 28.86% 134 1.63%
1968 2,824 34.67% 2,651 32.55% 2,670 32.78%
1964 4,637 69.33% 2,051 30.67% 0 0.00%
1960 2,521 56.23% 1,962 43.77% 0 0.00%
1956 635 15.69% 1,463 36.14% 1,950 48.17%
1952 2,760 59.16% 1,905 40.84% 0 0.00%
1948 39 1.50% 223 8.58% 2,337 89.92%
1944 45 2.25% 1,653 82.77% 299 14.97%
1940 65 5.15% 1,197 94.85% 0 0.00%
1936 8 0.54% 1,463 99.46% 0 0.00%
1932 5 0.26% 1,908 99.69% 1 0.05%
1928 22 1.92% 1,122 97.99% 1 0.09%
1924 11 1.35% 800 98.40% 2 0.25%
1920 15 1.49% 990 98.51% 0 0.00%
1916 31 3.08% 974 96.82% 1 0.10%
1912 14 1.70% 797 96.84% 12 1.46%
1908 91 6.11% 1,399 93.89% 0 0.00%
1904 131 8.44% 1,421 91.56% 0 0.00%
1900 121 11.98% 889 88.02% 0 0.00%
1896 343 17.19% 1,646 82.51% 6 0.30%
1892 472 26.46% 1,312 73.54% 0 0.00%



Education[]

  • Colleton County School District operates public schools, including Colleton County High School.
  • Degrees can be earned at the University of South Carolina Salkehatchie in Walterboro.

See also[]

  • National Register of Historic Places listings in Colleton County, South Carolina

References[]

  1. ^ a b "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/45/45029.html. 
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx. 
  3. ^ Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Govt. Print. Off.. pp. 87. https://books.google.com/books?id=9V1IAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA87. 
  4. ^ "South Carolina: Individual County Chronologies". The Newberry Library. 2009. http://publications.newberry.org/ahcbp/documents/SC_Individual_County_Chronologies.htm. 
  5. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. http://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/counties_list_45.txt. 
  6. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html. 
  7. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu. 
  8. ^ Forstall, Richard L., ed (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. https://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/sc190090.txt. 
  9. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000". United States Census Bureau. April 2, 2001. https://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf. 
  10. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. https://www.census.gov. 
  11. ^ a b c "DP-1 Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data". United States Census Bureau. http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/0500000US45029. 
  12. ^ "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". United States Census Bureau. http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/GCTPH1.CY07/0500000US45029. 
  13. ^ "DP02 SELECTED SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS IN THE UNITED STATES – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP02/0500000US45029. 
  14. ^ "DP03 SELECTED ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP03/0500000US45029. 
  15. ^ |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP02/0500000US45029 Archived 2020-02-13 at archive.today
  16. ^ "Explore Census Data". https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?g=0500000US45029&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2. 
  17. ^ Jeffrey, Collins (2019-11-12). "SC sheriff charged with domestic violence takes job leave". Associated Press. https://apnews.com/article/057b993cff2c420099df2e542166fbf4. 
  18. ^ "Sheriff" (in en). http://www.colletoncountysheriff.com/sheriff.html. 
  19. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS. 

External links[]

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Coordinates: 32°50′N 80°39′W / 32.84, -80.65


This page uses content from the English language Wikipedia. The original content was at Colleton County, South Carolina. The list of authors can be seen in the page history. As with this Familypedia wiki, the content of Wikipedia is available under the Creative Commons License.
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